The Globe. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 801, 16 January 1877, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1877.

The apathy exhibited by the public generally in the Female Eefuge strikes us as being matter for regret. At the annual meeting of subscribers yesterday, we learn from our morning contemporaries only six persons attended. The necessity for such an institution is perhaps even more urgent in the colony than at home. Temptations abound; the restrictions which in England help to keep young women from falling are to a great extent, at least relaxed here. Therefore the establishment amongst us of such a retreat, where the really penitent may retrieve her life and begin afresh a new career, is a matter of some importance. We are under these circumstances surprised to find so little sympathy expressed practically with the small band of earnest workers who have undertaken this Christian duty. The response to appeals for pecuniary assistance has been but a very small one, and not with that amount of liberality one would expect to see displayed in so good a cause, The people must, we would

warn them, begin to realise the fact that the days of a paternal Government, who did everything for them have passed away. They must now take up in reality their own burdens. Upon the public is cast to a great degree the responsibility of providing funds to carry on this and similar institutions. It does not make much difference whether they pay directly, as they are asked in this case to do by their subscriptions, or indirectly, as they will have to do out of the rates for charitable institutions. The principle is the same, and the sooner they recognise what is plainly their duty the better. "We hope therefore that the appeal of the committee for aid from the public will not be disregarded, but that there will be a liberal response in the shape of subscriptions, to what is really a most deserving and useful institution.